St. Charles Holiday Homecoming To Feature Electric Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting

ST. CHARLES, IL — Downtown St. Charles will welcome the holiday season Thanksgiving weekend with the return of Holiday Homecoming, a two-day celebration featuring festive lights, visits with Santa Claus and the annual Electric Christmas Parade.

Festivities begin Friday, Nov. 27, with the Lighting of the Lights ceremony at 5 p.m. at the 1st Street Plaza, according to the festival website. The event will feature holiday music, Santa visits, complimentary seasonal treats and illuminated holiday photo opportunities.

The celebration continues Saturday, Nov. 28, with a free screening of the holiday movie "Elf" at the Arcada Theatre beginning at 10 a.m, with doors opening at 9 a.m. Downtown retailers will participate in a Holiday Shop Crawl, giving shoppers opportunities to support local businesses during the Thanksgiving weekend.

The highlight of Saturday's festivities will be the Electric Christmas Parade, which will step off at 5:30 p.m. The parade will travel along Main Street from Sixth Street to Fourth Avenue, featuring more than 60 illuminated entries, bands, holiday floats and Santa Claus.

Throughout the holiday season, families will also be able to visit Santa's Cottage at the 1st Street Plaza on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. from Nov. 28 through Dec. 20.

For additional information and the complete schedule, visit the St. Charles Holiday Homecoming website.